The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-01-03
OLD CITIZENS GONE.
THE DFArn OF ELIJAH DAY,
Tho Oldest Citizen OF Wheeling, Early Sab.
bnth M~ornIng-IIIs Public tareer.
Death Of MIR. beverly 81. Eon
u: Woodland West Virginia.

Yesterday morning o.! one O'Clock, when
the new year was net more than a day old,
MIR. Elijah Day, the Oldest citizsn Of this
city, died after a brief illness. During the
Last two months he had been failing rap.
ldly, and the weight oil ninety.three yeara
sat heavily indeed, and his enfeebled body
broke under the strain and be passed away
quietly, in fact fell to sleep.
lie has been q remarkable man, not
alone In regard to his longevity, but as
one who has been identified with the pub.
lie affairs Of this city, having located hero
in 1918. His youth was rugged, and be
experienced thoae privations which make
true men and warm hearts. lie was born
In Washington county, Penna., on the
line adjoining Greene. At the sge oil
fourteen no performed the services Of
Deputy Sheriff Of Greene county-a posi'
ton In those days attended by many dan
gers and sscsidces Of personal comfort III
riding through q country very sparsely
settled. Ho married In Waynesburg tue
daughter OF Samuel Robb and shortly
afterwards came to this city and started a
pottery.
Later no opened a grocery. After clos.
ing out this business venture he held
various positions in the public eervics oil
Wheeling, having been Street Com
missioner, Coroner for o number OF years,
and Assessor under the old and new State.
His latest public Office WAS tho City
Receivership. When he left this position
it was the beginning Of tho end which
came yesterday morning. Having M
active brain and abnoring q do.nothirr
existence, 1t wss with some d;fliculty that
he could be convinced that no had full
filed his term Of active service in thif
life.
His faculties wero stronger than hi
body, aud this feet caused him TO worry
and fret over a passive life; and he va.
10th 10 believe no vas growing old an(
had attained an aye when hs wag entitled
to rest.
His Importance and conspicuous posi-
ton did not rest solely on the verioui
public positions he held and whoae dutiei
hs discharged with distinguished fidelit.
and honesty, for his identity with religious
and charitable works entitle his memoir,
to be reyered as much az his faithful pub
lie service ia to be remembered. He wa
a man OF fervant religious character and
typical every day christian Of deeds al vel
10 profession. Tie had the simple, sym
pathetic heart OF a child, and was readily
touched by the appeals Of the suffering
and unfortunate and ire Quently admins
tered to those beyond wia: would be tx
pected OF q mau in his circumstances. Il;
was unostentatious in his charity, large IL
his benefOlerce and upright md scrupu
lousy honest in his transactions with ths
i world, and died in the consolation Of a lii
well-lived and in the fear OF One who
eomforted and Sustained him in his las
hours. His lie vas gentle, and he wenI
to sleep when night came.
Some Of the cider citizens OF this city
| who are now dead were wont to recall the
days when they went to school to Mr.
Day in North Wheeling, and who used tc
hear him preach when u local preacher 10
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Hi
history sna that Of Metnodism in this city
are inseparable, sud in his death one o.
the pstriarchs Of Fourth Street Church
passes to bis reward. Hs lived beyond
the slotted years Of man, breaking bread
with the children OF the fourth genera
ton, to whom he has left q Legacy far bet
ter than riches. His funeral will take
place this afternoon aL 3 o'clock from the
residence of his son, William Mex. Day,
No. SIS Market street.